Method of seismic collection utilizing multicomponent processing receivers and processing resultant conventional and converted P- or S-wave data

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a method of increasing resolution of high-intensity amplitude events in seismic records provided by common midpoint collection methods (CMP) wherein nonsymmetrical travel paths of incident and reflected rays of the generated conventional waves (due to dip and depth) are taken into account prior to trace stacking. Then, in accordance with the invention, the converted phases of the conventional seismic wave, are processed as to define a series of common reflection point (CRP) coordinates each associated with a gather of converted traces as if a source associated with a given corrected trace was placed at each CRP and activated followed immediately by the relocation of a detector at the CRP and the reception of converted phases of the generated wave comprising the trace wherein the equation of coordinate transformation is selected from the group comprising: 
     CRP=kD+(1-k)SP: for conversions of P-waves to Sv-waves at the target reflector; 
     CRP=(1-k)D+kSP: for conversions of Sv-waves to P-waves at said target; ##EQU1## Vp and Vs are the P-wave and Sv-wave velocities, respectively, of the overburden; 
     X is the source-receiver offset distance; 
     h is the depth of the target reflector; 
     α is the dip angle of the target reflector; and 
     SP and D are source and detector coordinates, respectively, along the line of survey. 
     Aspects of the invention interrelate properties of simultaneously collected conventional to converted traces (via a series multicomponent detectors positioned along the line of survey) to improve the processing of the latter traces.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The following applications filed simultaneously herewith, and assignedto the assignee of the present invention, are incorporated herein byreference:

    ______________________________________                                        Ser. No.                                                                             Filed      For                                                         ______________________________________                                        486,659                                                                              April 20, 1983                                                                           "METHOD OF SEISMIC                                                            PROCESSING IVOLVING CON-                                                      VERTED P- OR S-WAVE DATA"                                   486,754                                                                              April 20, 1983                                                                           "METHOD OF SEISMIC                                                            PROCESSING AND DISPLAYING                                                     SIMULTANEOUSLY COLLECTED                                                      CONVENTIONAL AND CON-                                                         VERTED P- OR S-WAVE DATA."                                  ______________________________________                                    

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to geophysical exploration and moreparticularly to the simultaneous collection of conventional andconverted P- or S-wave data, followed by processing of resultant traceswherein non-symmetrical path lengths of the incident primary waves andthe reflected converted waves are accounted for prior to trace stackingto transform a resulting finite offset section to a true zero offsetsection irrespective of reflector depth or dip. Use of multicomponentreceivers for collection purposes, is contemplated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional collection and processing of seismic reflection data beginswith the separate generation of conventional pressure waves (P-waves) orshear waves (S-waves) followed by their separate recording on singlecomponent receivers, i.e. receivers that have active elements thatrespond to motions of the reflected waves in only one direction.Assuming a vertically oriented seismic source, conventional P-wavestravel down into the earth and are reflected from one (or more) geologiclayers as P-waves. A spread of receivers whose active elements respondto vertically oriented elastic wave motion only, record the P-waves.Similarly, for shear wave exploration, S-waves produced by ahorizontally oriented seismic source, are reflected from similarreflectors as S-waves, and are recorded by the spread of receivers insimilar fashion except that the active elements of the receivers wouldrespond to horizontally oriented wave motion exclusively.

Processing of either P-wave and/or S-wave data is further complicated bythe fact that collection is usually carried out using common midpoint(CMP) "roll-along" methods. Such methods utilize overlapping spreads ofreceivers in combination with "forward rolled" sources along a line ofsurvey to generate substantial numbers of "redundant" seismic traces.That is, the latter are redundant in that a certain number of traces canbe associated with the same common center point lying midway between aplurality of respective source-receiver pairs that generated the tracesin the first place. After application of time shifts to such traces(called static and dynamic corrections), a common midpoint (CMP) gatheris created. Thereafter, the associated traces of that gather arestacked, to provide improved signal-to-noise characteristics.

(In regard to the importance of understanding the relationship betweencollection coordinates wherein traces are identified by eithersource-positions (s) and receiver-locations (g) coordinates along theline of survey, or by coordinates associated with source-to-receiverstations offset distance (f), and midpoint location (y) betweenrespective source and receiver pairs, see, in detail, John F.Claerbout's book "FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOPHYSICAL DATA PROCESSING",McGraw-Hill, 1976 at pages 228 et seq.)

Even though the stacked gather of traces are enhanced (because ofstacking), interpretations can still made difficult due to the fact thatat boundaries between different rock types, partial conversion occursbetween one wave type and another, assuming the angle of the incidentwave is greater than zero. For example, a P-incident wave can bepartially converted to an Sv-reflected wave. Or an Sv-incident wave canbe partially converted to a P-wave reflected signal.

While the Zoeppritz equations determine the amplitudes of the reflectedand converted waves, they have been seldom used by interpreters ofgeophysical data in spite of the fact that modern seismic reflectioncollection methods such as CMP methods, use long offsets and involvesignificant angle of incidence. Reason: for deeper reflectors, theangles of incident are relatively low and the velocity and densitycontrasts between layers are assumed to be small. See for example, page21 et seq of Kenneth H. Waters' book "A TOOL FOR ENERGY RESOURCEEXPLORATION", John Wiley and Sons, 1978 for further edification.

In addition, the complexity involved in applying such equations to themany different energy levels associated with the various reflected wavesfor all angles of incidence and various material contrasts that exit inthe field, can generate so much data as to simply overwhelm theinterpreter. He may find it too difficult to apply the Zoeppritzequations on a systematic basis especially where the field data iscollected by modern CMP methods. In this regard, even though centerpoints/reflection points may not be vertically aligned, the interpreterusually ignores that fact, viz., ignores the differences in convertedP-wave to Sv-wave path lengths about vertical projections through centerpoints midway between respective source-receiver pairs.

That is to say, with conventional incident and reflected waves,reflection points of flat, horizontal reflectors are located directlybelow the vertical projections of the midpoints of respectivesource-receiver pairs associated with the traces of interest. Thus,traces associated with common reflection points (or depth points) onflat reflectors, although from different source-receiver pairs can besummed (stacked), after appropriate corrections to align the traces. Butwith converted waves under the same circumstances, the reflection pointsare not located below projections from the midpoints of respectivesource-receiver pairs but instead are displaced a certain distance fromthose projections.

The closest prior art that I am aware of that describes the problem ofnon-symmetrical path lengths is found in "DIGITAL PROCESSING OFTRANSFORMED REFLECTED WAVES", SOVIET GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS, V. 21, NO.4, pp. 51-59.

T. T. Nefedkina et al there describe use of P-wave to Sv-converted wavesin permafrost regions of Siberia and like regions. A stacking procedurefor such converted waves teaches the advantage of varying the stackingpoint of the gathers in accordance with a series of normalizing valuesassociated with a special Soviet digital processing code called"Kondakova's alpha-language". But since the procedure uses exoticprocessing terminology, inferior data sets, and simplistic models,conventional use of their work in the context of modern explorationmethods especially where dipping reflectors are contemplated, has notbeen possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, non-symmetrical path lengthsof primary incident waves and reflected converted waves, irrespective ofwhether or not the incident wave is a P-wave or an Sv-wave, is accountedfor, so that converted Sv- or P-wave traces can be correctly collectedinto gathers where the traces associated with each gather sampleessentially the same reflection point on a common target reflector. Thatis, the converted Sv- or P-wave traces can be identified in terms ofcommon reflection points (CRP) coordinates that have been correctlytransformed from source-point (SP) and detector station (D) coordinatesso as to account for the non-symmetrical path lengths of the incidentand converted waves.

The present invention is based in part on the fact that thenon-symmetrical path lengths are a function of source type, the ratio ofP-wave to S-wave velocities, i.e., Vp/Vs ratio of the overburden abovethe target reflector, as well as the dip angle and the depth of thatreflector. In order to relate the aforementioned variables, the presentinvention contemplates simultaneous collection of conventional andconverted P- or S-wave data in the field utilizing conventional commonmidpoint (CMP) collection methods. Such techniques involve sequentialactivation of a conventional seismic source located at a series ofsourcepoint locations (SP) along a line of survey and redundantlycollecting reflections of both the conventional waves and convertedphases thereof via a series of multicomponent detectors. Such detectorsare positioned along the line of survey at a plurality of detectorstations (D) and separately but simultaneously record the motion of theearth in at least one horizontal direction (radial direction) as well asin the conventional vertical direction. Such detectors can be readilypurchased from usual suppliers of geophysical equipment, such as MarkProducts, Houston, Tex. As a result, each conventional and convertedtrace can be associated with a sourcepoint-detector station pair ofknown (SP vs. D) coordinate location. Next, the conventional tracesundergo coordinate transformation and enhancement so as to account (a)for different travel paths of the conventional wave in the overburdenabove the target reflector, and (b) for depth and dip of each targetreflector. After the depth and dip of the target reflector have thusbeen determined, the invention adjusts the slope of imaginary straightgather lines on an (SP vs. D) coordinate stacking chart that identifiescommon converted traces. Such adjustment takes into account thedifferences in path length and incident and reflection angles for theincident and reflected waves, as well as dip and depth of the targetreflectors. Stacking of the recorded traces then occurs to form a truezero offset section of converted traces.

For flat reflectors, the common reflection point (CRP) coordinates for agather of conventional traces projected to a horizontal datum plane,relate to the source-point (SP) and detector station (D) coordinates inaccordance with

    CRP=(D+SP)/2.

The above transformation can be thought of as a process for determiningthe coordinates of a reflection point on the target that have beenprojected to the datum plane via multiplying a constant (k) that alsotakes into account the velocity ratio (of the incident and reflectedwaves in the overburden) times the (SP) and (D) coordinates ofrespective common source-receiver pairs making up the trace gather, inaccordance with an equation of transformation of the form:

    CRP=kD+(1-k)SP,

where k is equal to 0.5.

In accordance with the present invention, the common reflection point(CRP) coordinates for a gather of converted traces can be similarlyrelated to the source-point (SP) and detector station (D) coordinates,say, in accordance with similar equations of transformation of the form:

Conversion P-Sv: CRP=kD+(1-k)SP

Conversion Sv-P: CRP=(1-k)D+kSP

where SP and D are source and detector coordinates, respectively; and kis a constant that takes into account the velocity ratio of theoverburden (Vp/Vs), the dip angle α and depth (h) of the targetreflector and the source-receiver offset distance X. V_(p) and V_(s) arethe P-wave and Sv-wave velocities, respectively, of the overburden.

An approximate formula for k which include all these effects, is:##EQU2##

V_(p), V_(s) relate to the velocity ratio of the overburden; the dpangle (α) and the depth (h) as well as the source-to-receiver offset Xare as defined above. This formula has been found to be accurate fordips up to α=30°, and offsets as large as since the reflector depth,viz., 2h, and is also applicable to conventional P-P waves if (V_(p)/V_(s)) is unity.

For many offset applications (where offset X is much less than depth hand the dip α is zero), k is approximated by the simpler expression:##EQU3## For this case with flat target reflectors below an overburdenof V_(p) /V_(s) =2.4, k evaluation via the above equations reduces to

P-Sv: CRP=0.73D+0.27SP

Sv-P: CRP=0.27D+0.73SP

DEFINITIONS

In the present invention, certain key terms related to collecting andprocessing multipoint seismic data will be used as defined below.

Assume that each CMP collected trace is described by the function W(SP,D) and that the source position coordinate (SP) and receiverlocation coordinate (D) are the independent variables.

In reality, the source position (SP) and receiver location (D) are notdistributed in a continuum along the line (or axis) of survey defined byx-coordinates but are usually close enough together that it is merely amatter of interpolation to find W for any (SP) and (D) coordinates.Also, along the x-axis are the source-to-receiver distance offsetcoordinates (f) and common midpoint location coordinates (CMP's) thatare orthogonal to each other but intersect the (SP,D) plane at a givenangle depending on field collection parameters. If the incremental"roll" distance is ΔSP=ΔD, then the angle of intersection is 45 degreesand the offset and midpoint coordinates relate to the source andreceiver coordinates in accordance with

    f=D-SP

    CMP=(D+SP)/2.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a common midpoint (CMP) collection systemillustrating how CMP data is conventionally collected in the fieldusing, say, a line of detectors D1 . . . Dm in association with sourcesat source-points SP₁ . . . SP_(n) wherein source activation at SP₁permits data to be recorded at detectors D1 . . . Dm and wherein sourceactivation at SP2 allows data to be recorded at positions D2 . . . Dm+1;

FIGS. 2A-2D are vertical sections of an earth formation that hasundergone surveying via the CMP collection system of FIG. 1 andillustrates in detail how conventional reflections are recorded for asource as well as illustrates the fact that without mode conversion atthe reflector of interest, the path lengths of the incident andreflected wave are symmetrical about associated reflection points on aflat reflector so that traces associated with common midpointcenterpoints between respective source position-receiver locations arecoincident, irrespective of whether or not the generated source wave is(i) a P-wave (FIG. 2A), (ii) an Sh-wave (FIG. 2B), or (iii) an Sv-wave(FIG. 2C), provided the associated receiver has a correspondingcomponent response capability (FIG. 2D);

FIGS. 3 and 4 are vertical sections of an earth formation that hasundergone surveying via the CMP collection system of FIG. 1 andillustrates in detail the change in reflection point location as afunction of the initial elastic wave propagation mode (viz., whether itis a P-wave or Sv-wave) where target dip equals 0, and depth, detectorstation coordinates D1 . . . Dn, and sourcepoint location coordinatesSP1, remain constant;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are sections of an earth formation illustrating in detailthat traces associated with a common midpoint gather are coincident (ornon-coincident) with an associated common depth point on a flatreflector, depending upon the fact whether or not wave conversion has(or has not) occurred;

FIG. 7 is a stacking chart wherein source-receiver coordinatesassociated with traces produced by CMP collection steps, aresuperimposed upon a common midpoint v. offset coordinate system tobetter illustrated processes associated with the method of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 8-11 are sections of an earth formation illustrating in detail raytrace modeling techniques used in accordance with the present inventionto determine the degree of change of reflection points along flatreflections (FIG. 8) and along dipping reflectors (FIGS. 9-11) as afunction of offset, as elastic wave conversion occurs;

FIG. 12 illustrates a process for carrying the method of the presentinvention using a properly programmed digital computer wherein convertedtraces can be gathered along proper gather lines to account fornonsymmetrical travel paths of incident and reflected rays using aselected equation of coordinate transformation;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged detail of the stacking chart of FIG. 7 whereincommon reflection point (CRP) lines along which converted traces can begathered are established by a selected equation of coordinatetransformation;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are flow diagrams of processing simultaneously collectedconventional and converted traces for carrying out the method of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 16-18 are seismic sections and portions of sections illustratingthe diagnostic capability of the method of the present invention inresolving complex structures in actual field examples;

FIGS. 19 and 20 are plots of stacking Vp, Vs velocities, as well astheir geometric means as a function of shot point location, of separateevents in the seismic sections of FIGS. 16-18.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Before discussion of embodiments of the present invention, a briefdescription of concepts behind it may prove beneficial and are presentedbelow.

For conventional generated and received seismic waves, such as P-wavesource generating P-waves recorded on vertically oriented receivers, thecommon reflection points (CRP's) for flat reflectors are verticalprojections of the common midpoints between respective source-receiverpairs associated with the recorded traces. Such assumption are valid inexploration areas of limited structure or dip and allows theexplorationist to gather seismic data conveniently and efficiently. Forconverted waves, however, the angles of incidence and reflection atsubsurface reflectors are unequal. Result: the reflection point is notvertical projections of the midpoints between the source-receiver pair.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a seismic collection system illustrating howterms of interest in this application are derived.

For example, the terms "centerpoint" and "midpoint" are a geographicallocation midway between a source coordinate, say, source position SP1 ofa series of source positions SP₁ . . . SP₄ of a collection field system10 and a series of receiver positions, say D1 of a series of receiverpositions D1 . . . Dm at a datum horizon near the earth's surfacecoincident with line of survey 11. The centerpoints are designated C1 .. . C4, and each centerpoint is seen to be addressably associated with aselected source-detector pair that produced a given trace.

In common midpoint (CMP) collection, different sets of detector spreadsare "rolled" forward in the direction of arrow 12 in associated with thelike, incremental forward positioning of a source at new positions alongthe line of survey 13. Energization at the series of positions thenoccurs in sequence. That is the source is excited in sequence at thesource positions Sp₂ . . . Sp₄. Results: traces recorded at thedifferent receiver locations can be related to selected midpoints withinthe surveyed subsurface. For example, if the reflecting interface is aflat horizon, the reflection point where reflection occurs will definevertical lines which pass through the centerpoints C₁ . . . C₄ ofinterest.

Applying static and dynamic corrections to a field trace is equivalent(under the above facts) to placing the source at the centerpoint,activating that source, followed by replacement with a detector at thesame location and recording the trace. If all traces associated with acommon midpoint are reformatted on a side-by-side basis, the resultingset of traces is termed a CMP gather. If the traces are summed, theresulting trace is a stacked CMP gather. Thus, there are at least twofeatures of conventional CMP processing needed for seismicinterpretation:

(i) by summing traces associated with a common subsurface point, thesignal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the reflections on the resulting stackedgather is improved;

(ii) projections of subsurface reflection points intersect the midpointsof (SP,D) source-detector pairs of known coordinate locations; hence,location of structural reflections are known if the incident andreflected path lengths are substantially equal;

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate reflection phenomena of a three-layer modeltypical of young, shallow geologic section 20 consisting of a sandstone21 between layers 22 and 23 as found in the Gulf Coast, illustratingthat even if separate P-wave, Sh-wave or Sv-wave energy sources 28, 29or 30 are located at source positions SP₁, SP₂, SP₃ in FIGS. 2A, 2B and2C respectively, and then excited, the incident and reflected pathlengths of the energy associated with each source-receiver pair will besubstantially equal. This assumes that the receivers 31, 32, 33 atreceiver positions D1, D2, D3 are set up to receive only the dominantenergy of the generated wave. Vertical projections 34, 35, 36 of thecommon conventional reflection points CMP1, CMP2 or CMP3 intersect thecenterpoints (midpoints) C₁, C₂, C₃ of the respective sourceposition-receiver position pair coordinates, as shown.

In this regard, the term "conventional" is used to describe receivedenergy at the receivers 31, 32, 33 in which the dominant particle motionmatches that of the generated wave, whether the source generates P-wave,Sh-wave or Sv-wave energy in its principle mode of activation.

In FIG. 2A note that the source 28 at source location point Sp₁ producesan incident wave that travels outwardly from that source location as aseries of wave fronts. Each wave front defines a common sphericalsurface that joins points in the subsurface where motion is about tostart. If the propagating medium has properties independent of positionand direction of travel, the wave fronts form a set of concentricspheres centered at the source location. It is convenient to "track"such fronts using ray-tracing methods conventional in the art in whichthe energy of the fronts is conceived at traveling down into the earthalong a large number of pyramids of infinitesimal cross-section; and thecenter line of any one such pyramid in a selected direction beingregarded as a ray that traces paths 37, 38, 39. These paths pass throughstrata 21, 22 of the geologic section 20.

Note that at reflector 23, the angle of incidence of the incident waveis equal to the angle of reflection of the reflecting wave. Hence,incremental path length of the incident and reflecting wave in theoverburden, i.e., in the strata 21, 22, are equal.

P-wave source 28 of FIG. 2A is typically a buried dynamite charge or avibrator mounted on trucks which vibrate vertically on the groundsurface. Most common shear sources (S-wave of FIGS. 2B, 2C) are avibrator which shakes the ground sideways instead of up and down. InFIG. 2B, the Sh vibrator 29 shakes horizontally at right angles to thedirection of the CMP collection arrow 12. If the vibrator is rotatedhorizontally 90° so that the motion is along the direction of arrow 12,as in FIG. 2C, the source 30 is called Sv-type shear motion. There isanother difference between Sh- and Sv-wave energy.

In FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, note also in strata 21, that the direction ofparticle motion of the incident and reflected energy, as shown via pairsof arrows 40a, 40b; 41a, 41b; and 42a, 42b, may (or may not) change asreflection from reflecting strata 23, occurs. In FIG. 2A, for example,the arrow 40a associated with the incident wave is directed downwardalong the path 37; while the reflected wave associated with arrow 40b isdirectly upwardly. Similarly, in FIG. 2C, the arrow 42a associated withthe incident wave is directed upward and away from the path 39 (at rightangles thereto); while the reflected wave is directed in downwardlyrelative to the ray path. On the other hand, in FIG. 2B, the arrow 41aof the incident wave defines particle motions that is perpendicular tothe plane of the FIG. Since the particle motion is parallel to thereflecting surface, Sh-waves suffer no mode conversion on reflection orrefraction from the target reflector. This is to say, Sh source 29 wouldgenerate rays of energy which upon reflection off flat beds, wouldproduce only Sh waves, which, when recorded by receiver 32, wouldrequire only that the receiver 32 be oriented at right angles to thecollection survey arrow 12.

On the other hand, P-waves and Sv-waves incident on a reflector producenot only like-type, conventional waves, but also generate convertedwaves. When both wave types arrive at the surface, Sv reflections arerecorded on the radial horizontal motion segment of the receivers 32, 33whereas the P-waves are recorded mainly on the vertical response segmentof the detectors.

FIG. 2D illustrates how the dominant response directions of thereceivers 31, 32 and 33, can be matched to respond to the particlemotion of the upcoming P- or S-wave energy.

As shown, if the response direction of the receivers 31, 32, 33 isvertical with respect to the earth's gravitational field, say alongarrow 43, then any upcoming P-wave energy would be detected; if thereceiver response is horizontal in the direction of arrow 44, then anyupcoming Sh energy would be detected; similarly, if the responsedirection is horizontal in the direction of arrow 45, any Sv upcomingenergy will be likewise detected.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate that the reflection point of a flat reflector(for converted waves), is not a vertical projection of the midpointbetween respective source-receiver pairs.

In FIG. 3, source 49 at sourcepoint SP₁ produces an Sv-wave whose wavefronts that trace out incident ray paths 50, 51 and reflective paths 52,53, respectively, in overburden 54. Reflections from reflector 55 are atpoints CRP'₁, CRP'₂ . . . CRP'_(n). Due to the production of convertedP-wave reflections at reflector 55, the reflection angle (r) of theconverted P-wave is seen to be greater than that for the incident angle(i). Note also that at large incident angles, not only is the amplitudeof the converted P-wave increased, but also the reflection pointCRP'_(n) at the reflector 55 is not aligned with a vertical projectionthrough the midpoint formed between the respective source-receiver pair,i.e., midway between sourcepoint Sp₁ and receiver position D_(n).

FIG. 4 illustrates the same principle but in a reciprocal manner.

As shown, P-wave source 60 located at sourcepoint SP₁ is seen to produceP-waves whose wave fronts trace out incident ray paths 61, 62 andreflection paths 63, 64 in overburden 65. However, the slopes of thesepaths are seen to be reversed from those depicted in FIG. 3. Due to theproduction of converted Sv-waves at reflection points CRP'₁, CRP'₂ andCRP'_(n), the reflection angles (r) are less than the incident angles(i). But also note that the degree of inequality (between the incidentand reflection angles) becomes greater with offset. Amplitude of theconverted wave similarly increases.

Returning to FIG. 1, it should now be recalled that the detectors atstations D₁, D₂ . . . Dm and sources at sourcepoints SP₁, SP₂ . . . SP₄are used in redundant fashion so that the similar source and receivercoordinates relate a number of generated traces. Starting withactivation of the source at sourcepoint SP₁, energy is detected atreceiver positions D1 . . . Dm wherein ground motion is recorded for aspecific time period, often 6 seconds. Such a time period allows enoughtime for energy to travel down and be reflected upward from reflectorsto the detectors at stations D₁ . . . Dm. Next, the source is "rolled"forward to sourcepoint SP₂ and activated. While at the same time thedetectors are positioned at stations D₂, D₃ . . . Dm+1 to recordreflections. As the above-described sequence is repeated in thedirection of arrow 12 along the line of survey 13, the result is aseries of overlapping trace records that can be identified withredundant source and receiver coordinates and similarly sampledreflection points, as previously discussed.

FIG. 5 illustrates how conventional, non-converted traces associatedwith different sets of source-receiver pairs, sample the same reflectionpoint on a target reflector.

As shown, note that common reflection point 68 is located on flatreflector 69 in vertical alignment with imaginary projection 70 thatpasses through the centerpoint Co between all possible source-detectorpairs. The common reflection point 68 for the illustrated group ofsource-detector pairs, is, of course, derived by tracing the wave rayfrom its sourcepoint SP₁, SP₁ -1, SP₁ -2 . . . down to the reflector 69and then upward to its particular detector station D_(j), D_(j) +1,D_(j) +2 . . . . Thus, coordinates of the common midpoint equals allpossible coordinates of pairs of source and detector positions with thesame average value. Or

    CMP.sub.i,j =CMP.sub.i-1,j+1 =CMP.sub.i-2,j+2 = . . .      (I)

for as many pairs as sample the same reflection point 68. Furtherobservations can be ascertained in conjunction with FIG. 5.

E.g., note that even though the path lengths of the rays associated withdifferent source-receiver pairs are substantially different, the pathlengths of the incident and reflection waves of any one pair areidentical. And, for that one pair, the angle of incidence equal theangle of reflection at reflector 69. When the traces associated withthese source-detector pairs are transformed into common midpointgathers, the resulting stacked traces are said to sample the samereflection point on any flat target reflector wherein, the coordinatesof the reflection relate to the sourcepoint (SP) and detector station(D) coordinates in accordance with an equation of coordinatetransformation of the form:

    CMP.sub.i,j =[(SP)i+(D)j]/2                                (II)

FIG. 6 illustrates the fact that converted waves recorded at stationsDj, Dj+1 . . . do not provide reflection points that are verticallyaligned with midpoint coordinates of the respective source-detectorpairs from which the traces are derived.

As shown, the reflection points 72, 73, 74, 75, 76 and 77 on flatreflector 78 are shown not to be alignable with the vertical projection79 that passes through centerpoint Co of all the source-detector pairsat the earth's surface. Reasons for this occurrence are set forthbriefly below.

For converted P- to Sv-waves, the angle of reflection r for theconverted Sv ray does not equal the incident angle i for the P-ray. Dueto application of Snell's Law which holds for rays in optics, acousticsas well as elastic wave propagation in the earth. Snell's Law statesthat angles (i) and (r) are related by the velocity of propagation ofthe incident and reflected waves. In this case the relation is

    Sin (r)/sin (i)=Vs/Vp                                      (III)

where Vp and Vs are the velocities of compressional and shearvelocities, respectively, in the overburden above the reflection point.

In solid materials, like sedimentary rocks, the P-wave velocity, Vp, isalways greater than the shear wave velocity, Vs, often by a factor ofabout 2. This causes the angle (r) to always be less than the incidentangle (i). As a result, actual reflection points 73-77 are notvertically alignable with the midpoint coordinate between thesource-receiver pairs.

That is to say, the actual reflection points of converted P- to Sv-waveare biased away from common midpoint location CMP₁, on reflector 78 byselected amounts in the direction of the detector locations. If theconverted wave data recorded by these pairs of sources and detectors isconventionally is time shifted to bring about alignment about projection79. Then there is a loss of resolution laterally because of smearing ofthese points over the target reflector.

In accordance with the present invention, the asymmetry of the incidentand reflected ray paths are compensated for so the common reflectionpoints (CRP's) of target reflectors truly correspond to knownsourcepoint (SP)-detector station (D) coordinates of CMP collectionsystem along the line of survey.

Briefly, the method of the present invention, involves two basic steps:

The first is a ray tracing calculation for conventional (unconverted)waves through a layered structure to provide a conventional zero offsetsection. By numerical iteration a series of target reflectors ispositioned as to dips depth, and as events along the time axis of eachtrace. The reflection points for the conventional waves are calculatedusing midpoint coordinate transformation steps augmented to account forreflector depth and dip. By a geometric trick, the starting ray path ofthe iteration is guessed using the rms velocity of the hyberbolicmoveout formula.

The second step involves using the reflector dip and depth informationof step one, supra, followed by choosing the right combination of sourceand detector coordinates so that trace gathers sample the samereflection point in the subsurface for converted waves. This,fortunately, turns out to be a tilted straight gather line on the (SPvs. D) stacking chart of FIG. 13 rotated with respect to theconventional phase stacking lines. To implement this gathering of datarequires a relatively straightforward coordinate transformation,re-addressing program which sorts data by common reflection points(CRP's) rather than by common midpoint coordinates.

Before the method of the present invention is described in detail, abrief discussion of two different sets of field coordinate systems usedin connection with the present invention, is beneficial to understandingcertain aspects of the invention and is presented below in connectionwith FIG. 7.

As shown across the top of the FIG. 7 is a plan view of a CMP collectionsystem similar to that depicted in FIG. 1 except that the source pointlocations SP1, SP2 precede the advance of the spread of detectors D1, D2. . . Dm, instead of trailing the spread as previously shown. Directionof advancement is in the direction of arrow 90 along line of survey 91.As a result of similar incremental advances between spread and sourcepositions, say, each is advanced one incremental position per collectioncycle, so that ΔSP=ΔD, traces can be associated not only with respectivesource (SP) and receiver (D) locations via orthogonal axes 92 and 93,respectively, on stacking chart 94 but also they can be identified withcommon midpoint (CMP) and offset (f) coordinates that lie alongorthogonal axes 96, 97 in accordance with the equations of coordinatetransformation previously set forth, viz.,

    CMP=(D+SP)/2,

    f=D-SP.

Since transformation of coordinates for converted waves variessubstantially from these formulas, a brief discussion of the theoreticalbasis for carrying out coordinate transformation of converted traces inaccordance with present invention will now be discussed.

Briefly, in this regard, transformation equations involving flatreflectors will be initially developed followed by a detailed discussionof the derivation of transformation equations related to dippingreflectors.

RAY TRACING OF CONVERTED WAVES FOR FLAT REFLECTORS

For conventional phases such as P-wave generated and then recorded onvertically responding receivers, the common reflection points (CRP's)are assumed to be the common midpoints (CMP's) between associated sourceand receiver pairs. For a given offset coordinate, say, at a givenoffset along axis 97 of FIG. 7, traces associated with a given midpointand is coordinate 96, can be concurrently gathered. That is to say, inareas of no structure or dip CMP data can be conveniently gathered inaccordance with the midpoint coordinates of each source-receiver pairand then processed through NMO correction, statics and stacking toprovide accurate final seismic sections.

For converted waves, however, since the angles of incidence andreflection are unequal, the reflection points associated on each targetare not alignable with the above-mentioned midpoint locations. But canbe accurately determined--and then eliminated--in accordance with thesteps of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates conversion ray tracing aspects of the presentinvention to bring about alignment.

As shown, there is a stack of layers generally indicated at 100, i.e.,layers 1, 2, 3 . . . n, a portion of which represents the overburden.Solid line 101 indicates the ray path of an incident P-wave generated bya source at coordinate SP at the earth's surface 102, and a converted P-to Sv-wave that is reflected from interface 103 of layer n at reflectionpoint 104. That reflection is recorded at a receiver located at locationD.

For a given receiver-offset distance X between the source coordinate(SP) and receiver coordinate (D), the coordinates of the ray is to bedetermined, and the reflection offset distance Xr can be determined. TheSv-P conversion problem is a mirror image of that depicted in FIG. 8 buthas the same general solution for incident angles in each layer.

Briefly, in order to find the incident angles to map the ray, theinvention revamps ray tracing from solving a reflection problem tosolving a transmission problem. This can be done in FIG. 8 byconstructing a mirror image of the reflected Sv rays about interface103. In that way, the total path of the ray appears to be equivalent ofdownward transmission through two sets of layers, i.e., layers 1, . . .n and layers n+1, n+2, . . . 2n before reflection at reflection point105 occurs. That is, along the downward segmnents of solid line 101 anddash-dotted line 106 as shown.

Note the upper set of layers is associated with P-wave overburdenvelocities only, while the lower set of layers is related to Svvelocities only.

If the layers are numbered from top to bottom as shown and assigned thecorrect velocities, angles and thicknesses total offset distance X andtravel time T for the ray is: ##EQU4## To find the angles of incidenceθ₁, θ₂ . . . θ_(i) in the layers, the travel time T for the path isminimized by the constraint that the offset X be fixed. This willdetermine the ray parameter p from which all angles can be computed bySnell's law.

In this regard, Taner and Koehler (1966) described a technique fortracing conventional reflections only (but not for converted waves andnot by transmission paths) that is of interest ("VELOCITYSPECTRA-DIGITAL COMPUTER DERIVATION AND APPLICATIONS OF VELOCITYFUNCTIONS", Geophysics, Vol. 34, pp. 859-881.)

The functional (F) is next defined: ##EQU5## where p is a variationalparameter.

To minimize T with a fixed offset X, the differential of F is taken andset to equal to 0, i.e. ##EQU6## This is possible for arbitrary angledifferentials only if

    pv.sub.i =1/(1+cot.sup.2 θ.sub.i).sup.1/2 =sin θ.sub.i (5)

i.e., Snell's Law applies, where p is the ray parameter with units ofapparent horizontal slowness. This can also be written as

    sin θ.sub.i =pv.sub.i =v.sub.i /c                    (6)

where c is the unknown horizontal velocity of the ray. Substituting thisfor the angles in equation (1) a single equation for c is obtained.##EQU7## This equation has no algebraic solution for c, but is solvablenumerically by iteration, requiring an initial guess for the ray pathwhich will allow the method to iterate to a solution. In accordance withthe present invention, the hyperbolic moveout formula gives surprisinglygood starting values for c in the manner set forth below.

Referring again to FIG. 8, total transmission path through the two setsof layers is seen to be simply half of a two-way conventional reflectionpath down to interface 2n and back up to the surface. The upgoingreflection would arrive at offset 2X. Standard NMO formulas can estimatearrival times and slownesses in terms of rms velocities down tointerface 2n. One-way times to interface 2n at offset X are obtainedfrom the same moveout formula by just dividing the distance and timevariables by two.

Thus, for our converted reflection problem, the approximate formula is##EQU8## where T_(ps) is the two-way zero offset time for the convertedreflections equal to ##EQU9## and V_(ps) is the rms velocity equal to##EQU10## In expression (10) the t_(i) 's are one-way layer times givenby

    t.sub.i =h.sub.i /v.sub.i                                  (11)

where P times are obtained for i from 1 to n and Sv times for i from n+1to 2n.

From equation (8) an initial guess of c_(o) can be made for the apparenthorizontal velocity of the ray. Or, ##EQU11## Note that c_(o) isinfinity at zero offset and decreases asymptotically to V_(ps) as X goesto infinity.

To find the exact value of c for the layered model c_(o) is substitutedinto equation (7) and iterations are made toward as accurate a solutionas required.

With c determined, the reflection point offset X_(r) can be calculatedby equation (7) but summing i only up to n, provides, ##EQU12## Theconverted wave rms velocity can be related to the separate P and Sv rmsvelocities measured on the separate unconverted reflections. If T_(p)and T_(s) are the two-way, zero offset times for the unconverted events,then the converted wave rms velocity in equation (10) can be written as##EQU13## where V_(p) and V_(s) are the rms velocities for P- andSv-waves, respectively, down to interface n, obtained from cores ofadjacent wells or by other conventional means.

Expression (14) shows that V_(ps) ² is a weighted average of the meansquared velocities V_(p) ² and V_(s) ², so that in principle,correlations between conventional P and Sv phases and convertedvelocities and times for identification purposes, can be made.

Note also that the converted wave problem has now been replaced by anequivalent conventional moveout problem. Velocity variations are quiteextreme since P and Sv velocities are a mixed function.

It is of interest that for a single layer case equation (14) can befurther reduced. Since the rms velocities for small offsets equal thetrue P and Sv velocities, h₁ =T_(p) V_(p) =T_(s) V_(s). Substitutingthese equalities into equation (14) V_(ps) varies in accordance with

    V.sub.ps =(V.sub.p V.sub.s).sup.1/2                        (15)

for the converted wave rms velocity to be used in equation (12).

Coordinates of the reflection points can now be estimated. The lateralshift from the midpoint is preferable used for a single layer usingSnell's Law.

If the horizontal offset X from the source coordinate (D) to detectorposition (SP) is defined as

    X=D.sub.j -SP.sub.i                                        (16)

then the actual reflection point offset Xr, can be defined in terms of aratio of these two quantities: ##EQU14## where θ_(p) is the angle ofincidence and θ_(sv) is the angle of reflection. Multiplying top andbottom by cos θ_(p) and using Snell's Law, yields:

    R=2(Vp/Vs)/(Vp/Vs+cos θ.sub.p /cos θ.sub.sv)   (18)

Taking a power series expansion for each cosine term and using Snell'sLaw and simplifying

    R=2(Vp/Vs)/{(Vp/Vs+1-(θ.sub.p.sup.2 /2)(1-(Vp/Vs.sup.-2)}(19)

where θ_(p) is the incident angle in radians.

The approximate ratio of reflection point offset Xr to midpoint offsetX/2 is accurate up to θ_(p) =π/4=45 degrees. For offsets X less than thereflector depth the term in θ_(p) can be ignored, so that

    R=2(Vp/Vs)/(Vp/Vs+1)                                       (20)

Note that the ratio R depends only on the (Vp/Vs) ratio for allreflectors deeper than the offset distance.

Expression (20) hence can be used to gather traces associated withselected pairs of source-receiver pairs having events thereon whichsample the same point on an interface in the following manner.

Recall that for conventional waves for which angles θ_(p) and θ_(sv) areequal so that the reflection point ##EQU15## For converted P to Svreflections the reflection point offset is

    CRP.sub.i,j =SP.sub.i +0.5R(D.sub.j -SP.sub.i)

The above transformation can be thought of as a process for determiningthe reflection point coordinate projected to the horizontal datum planevia multiplying a constant (k) that takes into account the velocityratio of the overburden times the (SP) and (D) coordinates of respectivesource-receiver pairs in accordance with

    CRP=kD.sub.j +(1-k)SP.sub.i                                (22)

where

    k=R/2=(Vp/Vs)/(Vp/Vs+1)                                    (23)

From equation (22) it can be seen that the actual reflection points forconverted waves equal a weighted average of source and detector locationcoordinates where the weights add up to unity. For coventionalreflections the weights are each 0.5 and sum to 1. Because ofExpressions (22) and (23), traces that are associated with pairs ofsource and detectors coordinates can be gathered for a known reflectionpoint location CRP.

From Expressions (22) and (23) note that k is only a function of Vp/Vsratio for the earth above the reflector, i.e., the Vp/Vs ratio of theoverburden, if that reflector is flat. However, if the reflector isdipping at an angle α with a horizontal line normal to the earth'sgravitational field (instead of being flat), then the formulas for thereflection point coordinates CRP_(i),j are more complex.

RAY TRACING CONVENTIONAL AND CONVERTED WAVES FOR DIPPING REFLECTORS

FIG. 9 shows the geometrical relationships of reflection points CRP'sfor converted waves off a dipping layer 110. The parameter k for thiscase depends on two factors, dip angle α, and offset to depth ratio X/h.An exact formula for k is

    k=1/2[1+(X/2h) sin α]                                (24)

the expression (24), supra, being developed as follows.

A source is at position coordinate (SP) shooting down dip into areceiver at receiver position (D). While for conventional reflectionsthe incident and reflected angles at the dipping interface 110 areequal, they are not so for converted waves. Purpose of the followingexpressions: To find a relation between the actual reflection pointoffset Xr' along the interface 110 and the midpoint offset X'/2 alongthe same interface as measured from coordinates s' and d' which are theimage points on that interface 110 projected from the surface points SPand d, respectively.

R can be defined as the ratio of reflection point offset to midpointoffset at the earth's surface as 112 actualy recorded. By geometry thesame ratio in dipping coordinates along the interface 110 is equal to

    R=Xr(X/2)=Xr'/(X'/2)                                       (25)

If the dip angle α were zero, Xr'=X'/2 and R would equal 1 as expected.From the geometry in FIG. 9 since Xr'=h tan θ_(p)

    X'=(2h+X sin α) tan θ.sub.p                    (26)

Substituting these expressions yields k as

    k=R/2=1/2[1+(X/2h) sin α]                            (27)

as set forth above in equation (24).

For zero dip equation expression (27) reduces to k=1/2, which means thatthe true reflection point equals the midpoint location between sourceand receiver. For non-zero dip this equation is convenient to use forestimating the location of the true reflection point as a coupledfunction of dip, offset and depth.

Then since k=R/2, according to Expression (22), the true reflectionpoints CRP_(i),j for conventional waves can be states as

    CRP.sub.i,j =kD.sub.j +(1-k)SP.

But expression (27) deals only with conventional reflections atinterface 110, and does not involve converted reflections.

FIG. 10 illustrates the geometrical relationships of converted ray pathswith respect to a dipping interface 115.

In this case the parameter k depends on three factors, V_(p) /V_(s)ratio, dip angle α, and offset to depth ratio X/h. An exact formula fork is thus: ##EQU16## the total Expression (28), supra, being developedas follows.

Note first in FIG. 10 that the angle of incidence (θ_(p)) and the angleof reflection (θ_(sv)) are no longer equal. Hence

    Xr'=h tan θp                                         (30)

and

    X'=h tan θp+(h+X sin α) tan θsv          (31)

    X'=h tan θp(1+(1+(X/h) sin α) tan θsv/tan θp)

Substituting these into equation (25) yields

    R=2/{1+[1+(X/h) sin α] tan θsv/tan θ.sub.p }(32)

Except for the ratio of tangents this formula is similar to that derivedfor conventional reflections.

Equation (32) is exact, but the tangent ratio cannot be determinedexactly without an iterative ray tracing. However, a simpleapproximation can be made which gives very close answers.

If the reflection point is moved from CRP' to CRP" as in FIG. 11, thenboth incident and reflection angles increase from θ_(p) to θ_(p) " andfrom θ_(sv) to θ_(sv) " respectively. However, the ratio of tangentangles changes very slightly so that to a good approximation

    tan θ.sub.sv /tan θ.sub.p ≃ tan θ.sub.sv "/tan θ.sub.p "                                     (33)

As the reflector depth increases, this approximation becomes moreaccurate. Then from FIG. 11,

    cos θ.sub.p "=h/(h.sup.2 +X.sub.r ".sup.2).sup.1/2   (34)

    sin θ.sub.p "=X.sub.r "/(h.sup.2 +X.sub.r ".sup.2).sup.1/2(35)

where (for deep layers)

    X.sub.r "=(V.sub.p /V.sub.s)X cos α/(V.sub.p /V.sub.s +1) (36)

Snell's Law states that incident and reflected angles are related by

    sin θ.sub.sv "=(V.sub.s /V.sub.p) sin θ.sub.p "(37)

Using Snell's Law twice, the ratio of tangents for the perturbed anglescan be calculated by

    tan θ.sub.sv "/tan θ.sub.p "=(V.sub.s /V.sub.p) cos θ.sub.p "/cos θ.sub.sv "=(V.sub.s /V.sub.p) cos θ.sub.p "[1-(V.sub.s /V.sub.p).sup.2 sin.sup.2 θ.sub.p "].sup.-1/2(38)

Substituting (34) and (35) into this equation for cos θ_(p) " and sinθ_(p) " after algebraic simplification, yields:

    tan θ.sub.sv "/tan θ.sub.p "=(V.sub.s /V.sub.p)·[1+f].sup.-1/2                         (39)

where

    f=(X.sub.r "/h).sup.2 (1-(V.sub.s /V.sub.p).sup.2)         (40)

To express f in terms of surface offset distances X substitute (36) intothis equation, which yields: ##EQU17##

Finally, the parameter k=R/2 is obtained by substituting the tangentratio of (39) into (32), thus giving ##EQU18##

From this derivation, it is observed that equations (41) and (42) verifythe formulas originally stated in equations (29) and (28).

Although the formula for k is complex, it is also quite general andreduces to simpler forms for both converted and conventional waves, inconjunction with and without dipping reflectors.

By setting (V_(p) /V_(s)) to be equal to 1, yields the conventional waveformula for k in the dipping layer case (because the incident andreflected waves are the same type). From equation (41) it is seen that fgoes to 0, hence k in (42) reduces to

    k=1/2[1+(X/2h) sin α]                                (43)

which agrees with (24), previously derived for conventional waves.

For converted waves, setting the dip angle α=0 reduces the parameter kto the formula: ##EQU19## The effect of f in this expression is tocorrect for offset variations in X which become important when X is aslarge as the depth to refector h.

If the user is interested in only near offset conditions, where the X/hratio is much less than 1, then f can be set equal to 0, causing k to befurther simplified to

    k=V.sub.p /V.sub.s /(V.sub.p /V.sub.s +1)                  (46)

which is the least complex approximation in the method of the presentinvention, useful for short offsets in zero dip areas. This expressionfor k was developed earlier for equation (23).

From the above development it is also seen that the parameter k can becalculated for conventional and converted waves including the effects ofoffset to depth ratio (X/h) dip angle α, and velocity ratio V_(p)/V_(s). Thus, k is a general function of these three parameters

    k+k(X/h, V.sub.p /V.sub.s, α)                        (47)

which can be calculated for any case of interest. As described earlier,k is required to calculate the common reflection points (CRP) for eachtype of wave.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Now, having a firm theoretical foundation, the steps for carrying outthe method can be set forth in detail in conjunction with FIGS. 12, 13,14 and 15.

FIG. 12 illustrates how transformation of a series of field traces inaccordance with the present invention occurs. It represents an overallviewpoint.

As shown, flow chart 199 sets forth the desired sequence of stepscontrolling the operation of a digital computer, such as an IBM Model3033, involving at least the transformation and reordering of convertedtraces associated with source-detector pairs of knownsourcepoint-detector station coordinate locations (SP,D), using anequation of transformation for associated common reflection points(CRP's) selected from the group comprising:

CRP=kD+(1-k)SP: for conversions of P-waves to Sv-waves at the target;

CRP=(1-k)D+kSP: for conversions of Sv-waves to P-waves at the target;

where ##EQU20##

Vp and Vs are the P-wave and Sv-wave velocities, respectively, of theoverburden;

X is the source-receiver offset distance;

h is the depth of the target reflector;

α is the dip angle of the target reflector; and

SP and D are source and detector coordinates, respectively, along theline of survey.

As a result of evaluation centering on the determination of the aboveconstant "k" as a function of velocity ratios in the overburden, the dipangle and depth (h) of the target reflector and the source-receiveroffset distance X, transformation easily occurs whereby signals ofgreater intelligibility and clarity for geophysical interpretation, aresubsequently provided. Note that while chart 199 sets forth the methodof the present invention in general terms, a programmer of ordinaryskill in conventional CMP collection and processing techniques inaddition to the aforementioned transformation equations, can programmost convention computers in a rather short time span to carry out thegoals and objects of the invention. Typical programming language, isFORTRAN.

Although instruction 200 is the key to the transforming of source (SP)and receiver (D) coordinates to CRP coordinates via evaluation of theabove equations, it is assumed that the data has been collected as setforth at step 201, supra, by common midpoint (CMP) methods. That is tosay, it is taken as fact that the data at step 201 has been sequentiallygenerated by a conventional seismic source located at a series ofsourcepoint locations (SP), and then redundantly collected as convertedtraces at a series of detectors positioned at known detector locations(D) along the line of survey. Since the converted traces are eachassociated with a source-detector pair of known sourcepoint-detectorstation coordinate locations (SP,D), subsequent processing in accordancewith step 200 produces their easy transformation in terms of true commonreflection point coordinates. That is, step 200 establishes CRPcoordinates for a gather of converted traces so as to time-correct eachof the converted trace for (i) any elevational differences that may haveexisted between its sourcepoint-detector station coordinates at the timethat the trace was derived (static corrections), as well as (ii) moveoutdifferences associated with the travel paths of the energy (dynamiccorrections). Result: the final traces represent an imaginary collectionsequence as if a source associated with a given trace was placed at eachCRP and activated followed immediately by the relocation of a detectorat the CRP and the reception of converted phases of the generated wave.In that way, the CRP's associated with each gather of converted traces(in terms of (SP,D) locations of each source-detector pair, and anevaluated "k" constant) account for nonsymmetrical travel paths of theincident and reflected rays, as well as the dip and depth of the targetreflector. Thereafter, the converted waves are stacked via instruction202 in terms of CRP coordinates and then gathers displayed in accordancewith instruction 203 as a zero offset seismic section of convertedtraces.

FIG. 13 is of further interest, in explaining instruction 200 wherein asimplified stacking chart 204 is depicted and is discussed in connectionwith the collection system of FIG. 7.

As shown, each point on the diagram 204 has a source coordinate (SP)along axis 205 corresponding to the location of the source that gaverise to the trace corresponding to that point. The same point also has a(D)-coordinate along axis 206 corresponding to the location of thereceiver whose output is also associated with traces in the same manner.In other words, the diagram 204 is a plot of the SP- and D-coordinatesof all of the traces comprising a CMP seismic collection sequence.Location of the origin of the seismic line is at the instruction 207 ofthe axes 205, 206, viz., at D=SP=0. The example shown in FIG. 13 is aseismic line consisting of six 13-trace seismograms, which were recordedwith an end-on layout geometry, wherein the incremental spacing ofpoints as depicted on the diagram 204, viz., ΔSP and ΔD are made equalto each other.

For a given offset, as along axis 208, conventional common gather linesgenerally indicated at 209, interesect axis 208 at right angles.Consequently, coordinates (i.e. "addresses") of gatherable traces(aligned along such gather lines 209) are easily evaluated via theequation

    CMP=kD+(1-k)SP

where k is determined to be equal to 0.5.

That is to say, for conventional flat reflectors without modeconversion, the reflection points of the reflector are verticalprojections of the midpoints between associated source-receiver pairlocations producing the trace. Hence, a common reflection point on atarget reflector is vertically associated with a pair of known (SP) and(D) coordinates. For example, for coordinates (SP) and (D) equal six (inconjunction with offset axis 208), the relevant traces for a propergather would be aligned along dashed-dotted gather line 209a at rightangles to the axis 208. Furthermore, within the gather of defined tracesoccurring along the line 209a, the source to receiver offset distanceassociated with any one trace of the gather, is also determinablebecause of the fact that the longest offset trace coordinates is adirect function of its sourcepoint (SP) and receiver station (D)coordinates. In the above example (involving gather line 209a), itwould, of course, occur at coordinates (SP)=2 and (D)=10.

For converted waves incident on flat reflectors, gather lines are nolonger along the 45-degree diagonals indicated at 209 of FIG. 13 butinstead they are altered along sets of gather lines keyed to theevaluation of the constant "k" based on the type of elastic waveconversion that occurred and to a selected Vp/Vs ratio of the overburdenabove the target reflector, viz., either (i) along solid lines 211a,211b, associated with P-wave to Sv-wave conversion, or (ii) along solidlines 212a, 212b, associated with Sv-wave to P-wave conversion.

Slopes of lines 211a, 211b and 212a, 212b for a selected Vp/Vs ratio,say Vp/Vs=24, are identified by "k" evaluations wherein the latter wasfound to equal to 0.73; and 1-k was found to be equal to 0.24. Thus, thecoordinates for common reflection points on a flat target are found viaevaluation of:

    CRP=0.73D+0.27SP

and

    CRP=0.27D+0.73SP

for P-to-Sv and Sv-to-P conversions, respectively, so as to provide thesets of lines 211a, 211b and 212a, 212b of FIG. 13.

Note that the sets of resulting gather lines 211a, 211b and 212a and212b, while not being conicident with conventional midpoint gatherlines, nevertheless can be stacked using a stacking algorithm defined bythe above-mentioned equations augmented to search in (SP vs. D)coordinates about each defined gather lines, say along a two-dimensional"fairway" path. In this regard, the following two-dimensional tolerancefor limiting the search area so as to include only those transformedtraces whose addresses places them within a selected "bin" of eachdefined fairway path, has been found to be adequate.

    Inclusion=<±1/2ΔD, ±1/2ΔSP

Hence, for a gather about a common reflection point, say, one havingcoordinates of (SP) and (D) equal to 6, (tolerance range: ΔD=ΔSP=51/2 to61/2), traces associated with the line 211a meeting the above inclusiontolerance have source-receiver coordinates as set forth in Table I,below.

TABLE I

SP=7, D=6;

SP=6, D=6;

SP=5, D=6;

SP=4, D=7;

SP=3, D=7;

SP=2, D=8.

The above-described "binning" procedure is also useful in processingconventional data because of the fact that irregularities often occur inthe field due to interference of roads, streams and cultural obstacleswith desired shot and recording positions. The former prevent the exactsequence of shot and detector positions shown in FIG. 13, fromoccurring, viz., wherein common gather lines can be established alonglines 209 of FIG. 13.

For dipping reflectors, several additional variables associated withevaluation of the constant "k" are ascertained in the manner previouslyindicated, viz., the dip angle of the reflector, and the depth of thatreflection point via evaluation of the simultaneously collectedconventional traces.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate how the present invention can directlyassociate the conventional CMP seismic data to account for dippingreflectors.

Return now to the description of the transformation of coordinatesequations with respect to a dipping reflector. It should be apparentfrom FIGS. 14 and 15 that events in the conventional traces recorded asa function of source (SP) and receiver (D) coordinates are firstevaluated. Then the determined dip and depth of target reflectors areused in the processing of the converted traces of interest. Dip anddepth evaluation of events of interest is machine-oriented. Key to suchdeterminations: maximizing signal response as dip angle of the event issystematically changed.

With reference to FIG. 13, the gathering and stacking of theconventional traces from flat targets would be along the diagonal lines209. Hence, the true dip of any reflector in manner previously describedwith reference to the theoretical equations forming the foundation ofthe present invention, would only change the slope of those lines at theparticular event of interest. It should be specifically noted that sincethe normal projections of the reflection points are themselves coded andstored in accordance with processing commands, the depth and dip of suchevents can likewise be easily included in stored codes for latter use inprocessing converted traces.

Now, in more detail, in FIG. 14, the field traces are first read in.Instruction 300 then assumes command and sorts the conventional tracesas a function of source-receiver pair coordinates from which respectivetraces were derived. That is to say, the traces are sorted to form thetrace function W(SP,D), but midpoint and offset address coordinates ofsuch traces are also made of record.

Next, instruction 301 transforms the previously sorted traces into termsof reflection points that are vertical projections of the midpoints ofparticular source-receiver pairs associated with the traces of interestover a series of particular time window w . . . w1. That is to say, eachtrace is transformed initially as a function of a midpoint coordinatevalue to form the trace function W(y,t) for a fixed offset coordinate(X). The series of trace windows identified with same fixed offset (X)are then dynamically and statically corrected via instruction 302 afterwhich the traces are initially stacked as a function of the commonmidpoints (CMP's) of respective source-receiver pairs via instruction303.

After decisional step 304 is negatively answered as a function ofindividual sample points along the trace window, a dip estimate isprovided via instruction 306. Using a velocity function, its depth isalso estimated.

Next, at instruction 308, the coordinates of the reflections of thetrace are re-estimated as a function of (i) dip of the target reflector;(ii) the SP and D coordinates of the perpendicular projection of thereflection point to a preselected horizon; and (iii) the depth h of thereflection point. Simultaneously, note the operations of instruction309. That instruction is activated to store the aforementioned, SP and Dcoordinates of the projection and the dip angle α and depth h of thetarget reflector, as the search for maximum signal response continues.

Iteration in loop 310 occurs until the decisional step 304 isaffirmatively answered based upon whether (or not) signal response hasbeen maximized. During such iteration, instruction 309 merely buffersthe interim dip, depth and surface coordinate data until step 304releases loop 310 from active operations. At that time, the last-inbuffered data is simultaneously released to tape recorder 307 to aid inlatter processing of the converted data as described below. As thelatter data is recorded at 307, the buffer is erased.

Instruction 311 next assumes control. Instruction 311 determines if thetime window w . . . w1 is the last window for trace evaluation. Ifinstruction 311 is answered negatively, instruction 312 increments thetime window by one, and the loop 313 is entered to repeat the process.If instruction 311 is answered affirmatively, instruction 317 assumescontrol. Instruction 317 increments operations by advancing the processto the next gather coordinate. If the prior offset coordinate was (X),the next in time fixed offset coordinate would thus be offset coordinateX+1.

Loop 312 is again entered. Operations via instructions 301-312 aspreviously described, are sequentially activated to account for the dip,depth and projection data for the new gather of traces over windows w .. . w1. In that way, the process can be made to repeat and thenre-repeat itself so as to generate a series of gathers at differentoffset coordinates along with desired dip, depth and projection data.

At the same time that instruction 317 is incrementing the process togenerate new gathers at a progressively increasing offset coordinates,instructions 314 and 315 are also placed in sequential operations to (i)store the gathers as a function of offset and (ii) then generate a stackof such gathers as a conventional seismic sections. The processterminates when decisional step 316 is affirmatively answered.

Now, with reference to FIG. 15, note that the method of producing theconverted zero offset section is similar to that shown in FIG. 14. Thereare a few variances, however. For example, after the converted traces ontape 320 have been inputted and sorted at instruction 321, theinterpreter presets the source to key, via instruction 322, theselection of the equation of coordinate transformation at operations 323or 324. As previously indicated, such equations are selected from thegroup comprising:

CRP=kD+(1-k)SP: (for P-wave to Sv-wave conversions);

and

CRP=(1-k)D+kSP: (for Sv-wave to P-wave conversions).

In more detail, while operation 321 sorts the converted traces as afunction source-receiver pair coordinates, viz., SP and D coordinates,note that offset addresses of such traces are also made of record. I.e.,as the traces are sorted to form the trace function W(SP,D), offsetcoordinates for a series of particular time windows w . . . w1 are alsopart and parcel, of each trace address.

Instructions 323, 324 transform the previously sorted traces in terms ofcommon reflection points (CRP) coordinates that are surface projectionsassociated with traces of particular source-receiver pairs, over theseries of time windows w . . . w/ and offset addresses coordinates X . .. XL.

After the trace segments identified with the following (viz. the samefixed offset X, the identical time window w, and the same CRPcoordinates), have been statically corrected, such trace segments arestacked at instruction 325. Such stacking, of course, takes into accountreflector dip, reflector depth and reflector offset coordinateinformation, such data being supplied via tape 307 to the operations323, 324 as shown in FIG. 15.

In regard to instruction 325, note that the transformed traces aresummed along gather lines that have been altered by "k" factorevaluation, augmented by a "bin" searching principle that searches intwo dimensions along the selected "k" evaluated fairway gather path, aspreviously mentioned. In that way, transformed traces that have beendetermined by "k" factor evaluation and whose addresses placed suchtraces within the examined "bin", are summed. Such summing steps werepreviously discussed.

Decisional instruction 326 next assumes control to either continueprocessing the data via iteration loop 327 or to allow instruction 329to assume command. That is to say, process iteration via loop 327continues until the decisional instruction 326 is affirmatively answeredbased upon whether or not the data associated with the last window wlhas been processed. That is, instruction 326 determines if the processeddata is associated with the last window wl. If it is, instruction 329assumes control; if it is not, i.e., if instruction 326 is answerednegatively, instruction 328 increments the time window by one, and theloop 327 is entered to repeat the process. When instruction 329 doesassume control, it increments operations by advancing the process to thenext gather coordinate. If the prior offset coordinate was (X), the nextin time fixed offset coordinate would thus be offset coordinate X+1.Loop 327 is again entered.

Operations via instructions 322-326 as previously described, thus aresequentially activated, to provide correctly transformed stackedconverted data. That is the process repeats and then re-repeats itselfso as to generate a series of stacked gathers at different offsetcoordinates along with desired dip, depth and CRP projectioncoordinator.

At the same time that instruction 329 is incrementing the process togenerate new stacked gathers at a progressively increasing offsetcoordinates, instructions 330 and 331 are also placed in sequentialoperations to (i) store the stacked gathers as a function of offset and(ii) generate a section of such gathers as a converted seismic section.The process terminates when decisional step 333 is affirmativelyanswered.

EXAMPLE

A field trial was undertaken in the Sacramento Valley of California.Vibrator, receiver and recording parameters are as set forth below inTable II.

TABLE II

P-wave Source; Mertz Model 9 Vibrators

A. Sweep Pattern: 3 Vibs×20 Sweeps over 230'

B. Vibrator Separation: 55'

C. Move-up: 6'

D. Sweep Frequencies: 6-56 Hz, Upsweep

E. Sweep Time: 16 sec+8 sec Listen

Recording Configuration

A. Coverage: 2400%

B. Spread: V.P.-960'-6600'

C. Group Interval: 120'

D. Geophone Interval: 10'

E. Geophone Array: In-line Boxcar

Recording Instrumentation

A. Gain: Binary

B. Sample Interval: 4 msec

C. Record Length: 24 sec

D. Preamp Gain: 2**7

E. Filters:

1. Low Cut: Out

2. High Cut: 83.5 Hz

3. Notch: In, 60 Hz

F. Number of Channels: 4×(48 Data+4 Aux)

S-Wave Source: Mertz Model 13/609 Vibrators

A. Sweep Pattern: 3 Vibs×20 Sweeps over 230'

B. Vibrator Separation: 55'

C. Move-up: 6'

D. Sweep Frequencies: 6-28 Hz, Upsweep

E. Sweep Time: 16 sec+8 sec Listen

FIG. 16 is a conventional zero offset section derived from the fielddata of that test.

From the section, initially note that production is gaseous hydrocarbonsfrom a Winters sandstone generally indicated within boxed area 403.Interpretations further indicate the sandstone is overlain by deltaicshales which form an impenetratable closure. Bright spots 404, 405(within boxed area 403) indicate the location of the trapped gas.

Additional events of interest are identified at 400, 401 and 402. Event400 is formed within a tertiary sedimentary complex. Event 401 is at thebase of that complex. Event 402 is from a low velocity shale just abovethe Winters sandstone of interest.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are zero offset stacked sections of the converted data;in FIG. 17, a P-wave sound was used; in FIG. 18, an Sv-wave source wasemployed. The resulting P-Sv and Sv-P wave converted sections,respectively, were processed in accordance with the method of thepresent invention depicted in FIG. 15.

In brief, note from these Figures that the low velocity shale just abovethe Winters sandstone, viz., event 402 of FIG. 16, has been dramaticallyextended in the lateral direction of the sections, say, in the regionoutlined by solid line 410. More remarkable, events 400, 401 and 402 inFIG. 18, show outstanding resolution even through the amplitude level ofSv-P wave conversion is theoretically much lower than that of the P-Svwave conversion shown in FIG. 17.

Improvement in resolution of events in the sections set forth in FIGS.17 and 18 is a direct function of the Vp/Vs ratio of the overburden.Hence, correct determination of the P- and Sv-wave velocities isrequired in order to provide accurate, true zero offset sections.

Even with such data, evaluations of the stacking horizontal velocityrequired when using the equations of coordinate transformation of thepresent invention, requires a good initial guess of that value. In thisregard, employment of the geometric mean of known P- and Sv-wavevelocities, has been found to be very helpful, viz. Vps=√Vp Vs.

Agreement between the geometric mean of P- and S-wave velocities and thefinal stacking velocities for events 401, 402 of FIGS. 16-18, is good.In FIG. 19, for event 401, only a small discrepancy of a few hundredfeet per second appears. Similarly, in FIG. 20, for event 402, similargood results are evident. Note also that discrepancies appear todecrease going from FIG. 19 to FIG. 20. This is predictable since theoffset to depth ratio of the reflectors of interest, viz., event 401vis-a-vis event 402, decrease as a function of offset.

The invention is not limited to the above combinations alone, but isapplicable to other anomalous circumstances as known to those skilled inthe art. It should thus be understood that the invention is not limitedto any specific embodiments set forth herein, as variations are readilyapparent. Thus, the invention is to be given the broadest possibleinterpretation within the terms of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a method of improving resolution of seismicdata collected by conventional common midpoint collection (CMP) methodsincluding sequentially activating a conventional seismic source at aseries of sourcepoint locations (SP) along a line of survey andredundantly collecting reflections of both the conventional waves andthe converted phases thereof via a series of multicomponent detectors ata plurality of detector stations (D) along said line of survey eachdetector simultaneously but separately recording the motion of the earthin the radial horizontal direction and in the vertical direction,wherein each resulting convention and converted traces is associatedwith a sourcepoint-detector station pair of known (SP,D) coordinates,the improvement thereof related to processing both conventional andconverted traces in a systematic manner whereby resulting conventionaland converted gathers of such traces each samples a reflection point ofa target reflector in the subsurface common to each gather irrespectiveof dip and depth of said target reflector, comprising the steps of(i)generating seismic field records including at least separateconventional and converted seismic records, by positioning and employingan array of source and multicomponent detectors such that individualsourcepoint-detector station coordinates can be redundantly associatedwith a selected number of conventional and converted traces of saidrecords, said converted and conventional traces being the simultaneousoutput of said detectors, (ii) establishing for said conventional andconverted traces a series of separate common reflection points (CRP's),each CRP being for gathering traces common thereto as if a sourceassociated with a given trace of a common gather was placed at said eachCRP and activated followed immediately by the relocation of a detectorat said each CRP and the reception of conventional or converted wavescomprising said conventional or converted trace; (iii) each CRPassociated with said common gather of conventional traces being made toaccount for different travel paths of the wave due to depth and dip ofeach target reflector; (iv) each CRP associated with said common gatherof converted traces undergoing dynamic sourcepoint-detector stationcoordinate transformation to account for nonsymmetrical travel paths ofincident and reflected ray, dip as well as depth of said targetreflectors, wherein the equation of coordinate transformation isselected from the group comprising:CRP=kD+(1-k)SP: for conversions ofP-waves to Sv-waves at said target; CRP=(1-k)D+kSP: for conversions ofSv-waves to P-waves at said target; ##EQU21## Vp and Vs are the P-waveand Sv-wave velocities, respectively, of the overburden; X is thesource-receiver offset distance; h is the depth of the target reflector;α is the dip angle of the target reflector; and SP and D are source anddetector coordinates, respectively, along the line of survey. 2.Improvement of claim 1 in which said dip and depth values employed bysaid selected equation of coordinate transformation are provided as aby-product of transformation and enhancement processing of saidconventional traces.
 3. Improvement of claim 2 in which saidtransformation and enhancement processing of said conventional tracesinvolve the substeps of:establishing common midpoint coordinates forsaid conventional traces as a function of each tracessourcepoint-detector station (SP,D) coordinates, gathering said tracesalong established common midpoint gather lines, stacking said gatheredtraces to form finite offset sections, then estimating depth and dipfrom said sections for events therealong, and then after re-estimatingtrue CRP's from said dip and depth data, regathering said conventionaltraces along altered gather lines to establish said true CRP's therefor,and restacking said regathered traces until a true zero offset sectionis formed, said final estimates of depth and dip of said events beingsubsequently employed in said selected equation of coordinatetransformation of step (iv).
 4. Improvement of claim 3 with theadditional step of:(v) stacking said converted traces associated witheach established CRP in sequence to form a true zero converted sectionhaving insignificant horizontal smearing of high-intensity eventstherealong.
 5. Improvement of claim 3 in which said substep ofregathering and restacking said conventional traces until a true zerooffset section is formed, is an iteration operation that terminates whenthe signal response for each of said events of interest, is maximum. 6.Improvement of claim 1 in which said step (ii) includes the step ofstatically correcting said conventional and converted traces tonormalize said sourcepoint and detector station coordinates to a commonhorizontal elevational plane coextensive with said line of survey. 7.Improvement of claim 1 in which said target reflector is substantiallyparallel to said horizontal datum plane wherein an equation coordinateof transformation for said conventional traces is in accordance with

    CRP.sub.convent. =0.5SP+0.5D

where Vp/Vs of the overburden is unity, and SP, D are sourcepoints anddetector station coordinates, respectively.
 8. Improvement of claim 7wherein said k constant of said selected equation of coordinatetransformation for said converted traces is in accordance with:##EQU22## where Vp/Vs of the overburden is determined by experimental orempirical data.
 9. Improvement of claim 2 in which said dip and depthvalues of said target reflector interrelate such that said k constant ofsaid selected equation of dynamic transformation for converted tracescan be approximated in accordance with: ##EQU23##
 10. A method ofimproving resolution of seismic data collected by conventional commonmidpoint collection (CMP) methods including sequentially activating aconventional seismic source at a series of sourcepoint locations (SP)along a line of survey and redundantly collecting reflections of boththe conventional waves and the converted phases thereof via a series ofmulticomponent detectors at a plurality of detector stations (D) alongsaid line of survey each detector simultaneously but separatelyrecording the motion of the earth in the radial horizontal direction andin the vertical direction, whereby resulting conventional and convertedgathers of such traces each systemically samples a reflection point of atarget reflector in the subsurface common to each gather irrespective ofdip and depth of said target reflector, comprising the steps of(i)generating seismic field records including at least separateconventional and converted seismic records, by positioning and employingan array of source and multi-component detectors such that individualsourcepoint-detector station (SP,D) coordinates can be redundantlyassociated with a selected number conventional and converted traces ofsaid records, said converted and conventional traces being thesimultaneous output of said detectors, (ii) separately establishing forsaid conventional and converted traces a series of common reflectionpoint (CRP) coordinates each associated with a gather of traces as if asource associated with a given trace was placed at said each CRP andactivated followed immediately by the relocation of a detector at saideach CRP and the reception of conventional or converted waves comprisingsaid conventional or converted trace, (iii) each CRP associated withconventional traces being made to account for different travel paths ofthe wave, due to depth and dip of each target reflector; (iv) each CRPassociated with converted traces undergoing at least dynamicsourcepoint-detector station coordinate transformation to account fornonsymmetrical travel paths of incident and reflected ray, dip as wellas depth of said target reflectors, using an equation of coordinatetransformation selected from the group comprising:CRP=kD+(1=k)SP: forconversions of P-waves to Sv-waves at the target; CRP=(1K)D+kSP: forconversions of Sv-waves to P-waves at the target; ##EQU24## Vp and Vsare the P-wave and Sv-wave velocities, respectively, of the overburden;X is the source-receiver offset distance; h is the depth of the targetreflector; α is the dip angle of the target reflector; and SP and D aresource and detector coordinates, respectively, along the line of survey.11. Method of claim 10 in which said dip and depth values employed bysaid selected equation of coordinate transformation are provided as aby-product of transformation and enhancement processing of saidconventional traces.
 12. Method of claim 11 in which said transformationand enhancement processing of said conventional traces involve thesubstep of:establishing common midpoint coordinates for saidconventional traces as a function of each traces sourcepoint-detectorstation (SP,D) coordinates, gathering said traces along establishedcommon midpoint gather lines, stacking said gathered traces to form afinite offset sections, then estimating depth and dip from said sectionsfor events therealong, and then after re-estimating true CRP's from saiddip and depth data, regathering said conventional traces along alteredgather lines and restacking said regathered traces until a true zerooffset section is formed, said final estimates of depth and dip of saidevents being subsequently employed in said equation of coordinatetransformation of step (iv).
 13. Method of claim 12 with the additionalstep of:(v) stacking said converted traces associated with eachestablished CRP in sequence to form a true zero converted section havinginsignificant horizontal smearing of high-intensity events therealong.14. Method of claim 12 in which said substep of regathering andrestacking said conventional traces until a true zero offset section isformed, is an iteration operation that terminates when the signalresponse of said event of interest, is maximum.
 15. Method of claim 10in which said step (ii) includes the step of statically correcting saidconventional and converted traces to normalize said sourcepoint anddetector station coordinates to a common horizontal elevational planecoextensive with said line of survey.
 16. Method of claim 15 in whichsaid target reflector is substantially parallel to said horizontal datumplane wherein an equation of coordinate transformation for saidconventional traces is in accordance with

    CRP.sub.convent. =0.5SP+0.5D

where Vp/Vs of the overburden is unity, and SP, D are sourcepoints anddetector station coordinates, respectively.
 17. Method of claim 16wherein said k constant of said selected equation of coordinatetransformation for said converted traces is in accordance with:##EQU25##
 18. Method of claim 10 in which said dip and depth values ofsaid target reflector interrelate such that said k constant of saidselected equation of dynamic transformation for converted traces can beapproximated in accordance with: ##EQU26##